The FBI searched the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson as part of an investigation into leaked classified documents related to President Trump’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce.
Natanson was present during the search, during which the FBI seized her two laptops, cellphone, and a Garmin watch.
The big picture: The search warrant was connected to a Maryland government system administrator with top secret clearance, accused of taking home classified intelligence reports discovered in his lunchbox and basement.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the investigation is targeting leaks from a Pentagon contractor and affirmed the Trump administration’s hard stance against leaks it sees as threatening national security.
- The Washington Post acknowledged the search and is monitoring the situation but has declined further comment.
Go deeper: Such searches of journalists’ homes are extremely rare in the U.S., even when classified documents or national security are involved.
- The Trump administration previously sought access to journalist records, including attempts to impose gag orders and subpoenas during Trump’s first term.
- Policy changes under the Biden administration largely barred searches of journalists’ records, but AG Bondi recently issued a memo authorizing them in leak investigations.
- Natanson had reported extensively on information from sources frustrated by Trump-era government downsizing, describing her concerns about protecting those sources in a recent essay.
- Historically, the Department of Justice has not pursued charges against journalists for obtaining classified records.
